The JDE Connection

In this episode, Chandra and Paul welcome guests CJ Jeong and David (Dave) Bilthuis, both long-time JD Edwards and Oracle professionals, to discuss their experiences with professional transitions and adapting to ongoing change in the technology landscape. They share their excitement about attending Blueprint 4D, connecting with customers, and learning how their products are utilized, as well as their approaches to handling internal change and supporting their teams through transitions.

01:29 April software release overview

04:49 Introducing CJ & David

10:20 What are you most excited about at BP4D?

18:00 What are you hoping to learn at BP4D?

22:40 Adapting to change

27:04 Prioritizing personal and team well-being

31:25 Midwesternism of the Day

Resources

Release 26 April Drop: https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E84502_01/learnjde/release26-april-update.html

BLUEPRINT4D Conference - https://questoraclecommunity.org/events/conferences/blueprint4d/

JD Edwards Forum at BP4D - https://questoraclecommunity.org/events/conferences/jd-edwards-forum/

In this episode, Chandra and Paul discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in the workplace, referencing a recent HR executive article about employees' sentiments toward AI. They explore the impact of technology on productivity, work-life balance, and burnout, questioning whether AI truly gives people time back or simply raises expectations for output. The conversation highlights concerns about empathy in leadership, the risk of cognitive atrophy from over-reliance on AI, and the importance of investing in self-development and lifelong learning. They draw parallels to past technological shifts like the introduction of PCs and ERP systems, emphasizing the need for thoughtful tech adoption.

06:09 Is embracing productivity through technology causing burnout?

09:53 Improving efficiency with mobile tools

11:45 Are we wired for this level of productivity?

12:55 Chandra’s brain is a single threaded job queue

13:34 Challenges of using AI for writing

17:10 Tech companies cutting costs

22:47 Investing in yourself with learning

25:14 Reflecting on past tech changes

27:28 Midwesternism of the Day

Resources: HR Executive Article: https://hrexecutive.com/81000-people-shared-their-dreams-for-ai-heres-what-hr-leaders-owe-them/

In this episode, hosts Chandra & Paul provide a comprehensive preview of the upcoming BLUEPRINT 4D conference in Dallas, TX from May 4 through May 7th. They provide detail on the packed agenda: keynotes focused on AI’s impact on enterprise applications, numerous JD Edwards product and platform sessions, SIG meetings, and community networking events.

01:29 Additional thank yous

06:05 Conference dates

06:13 Sunday event details

07:05 Monday event details

15:37 Tuesday event details

22:36 Wednesday event details

30:41 Thursday event details

34:04 Midwesternism of the day

JDE Connection’s 100th episode is a milestone celebration featuring hosts Chandra and Paul reflecting on their journey of creating a podcast that delivers practical insights, fosters authentic connection, and serves the JD Edwards community. With special guests Jon Vaughn, CEO of Quest Oracle Community, author and former 4-time CIO and tech CEO, Chris Laping, the team discusses the podcast’s origins to help business analysts and other ERP professionals learn in engaging, conversational ways that suit modern learning styles. The conversation includes memories from the early days, the evolution of the podcast’s audience, the critical role of community and authenticity, and the impact of major topics like AI. Chris Laping shares content creation, his upcoming book, and collaborative programs with Quest, emphasizing the value of real-world skills and mutual support.

04:08 History of the podcast

14:23 Why a podcast?

17:10 It’s not just about BA’s or BSA’s

25:04 Chris’s new book deal

31:32 Investing in goals and coaching

37:48 Chris’s connection to Quest and BP4D

42:37 Working with Chris on impactful content

45:43 Quest is launching a six-week coaching cohort

48:50 Midwesternism

Resources:

Unignorable Cohort Info Links

• Program sign-up now open: https://questoraclecommunity.org/become-unignorable-chris-laping/
• To learn more - join our upcoming info session on April 29th: https://questoraclecommunity.org/events/webinars/info-session-become-unignorable-cohort-w-chris-lap…. OR learn more about it at BLUEPRINT 4D where Chris will be presenting 2 sessions specifically designed for the Quest community

Chris Laping:

• Unignorable: https://chrislaping.com/
• People Before Things: https://peoplebeforethings.co/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claping/

BLUEPRINT4D Registration: https://questoraclecommunity.org/events/conferences/blueprint4d/register/

Hosts Chandra and Paul continue their conversation with Haiyan Wang to dive deeper into the practical use of Logic Extensions within JD Edwards and connect the dots between LEX, Form Extensions, and Workflow. The discussion builds on the previous episode, moving from introductory concepts to more sophisticated examples—like using form and logic extensions to tailor application behaviors and trigger workflows based on version control. Haiyan demonstrates how these tools can centralize approval processes for sensitive data changes, such as updating vendor addresses.

08:30 Logic Extensions and Workflow Deep Dive

14:59 Form Version Relationship Explained

20:23 Prototyping Before Involving Developers

23:25 Customization vs. Simplicity Debate

26:10 Midwesternism of the Day

Resources:

Understanding Logic Extensions: https://docs.oracle.com/en/applications/jd-edwards/cross-product/9.2/eotos/understanding-logic-extensions.html

Logic Extensions for Business Analysts: https://docs.oracle.com/en/applications/jd-edwards/lex-business-analysts/

In this episode, hosts Chandra and Paul are joined by Haiyan Wang, the architect and inventor of Logic Extensions, to discuss the power and practical applications of no-code/low-code tools within JD Edwards. Haiyan gives an overview and live demonstration of how Logic Extensions can be used to streamline processes, support decustomization, and improve efficiency—using examples like automating default values for form fields and enabling conditional logic beyond what standard event rules offer in a user-friendly development environment that minimizes the need for traditional programming skills.

04:49 Introducing Haiyan Wang

05:49 How did logic extensions come about?

09:31 Logic Extension Overview

13:35 Table I/O - Defining Data Structure

17:58 Defining API Mapping Parameters

18:50 Boolean Explanation

24:00 Form Extension with Logic Applied

28:49 Logic Extensions Enable Else-If

33:10 Midwesternism of the Day

Resources:

Understanding Logic Extensions: https://docs.oracle.com/en/applications/jd-edwards/cross-product/9.2/eotos/understanding-logic-extensions.html

Logic Extensions for Business Analysts: https://docs.oracle.com/en/applications/jd-edwards/lex-business-analysts/

Ep 39: https://questoraclecommunity.org/learn/podcasts/thejdeconnection_episode39_decustomization-with-pete-cotton-part1/

Ep 40: https://questoraclecommunity.org/learn/podcasts/thejdeconnection_episode40_decustomization-with-pete-cotton-part2/

In this episode, Chandra and Paul dive into the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and its practical applications for business analysts and JD Edwards users. They walk through the latest advancements in large language models like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Llama, discuss how integrated tools such as Copilot and Zoom's AI assistant are transforming workplace productivity, and highlight the importance of prompt engineering. The conversation also covers AI-driven development trends, the emergence of powerful AI agents capable of automating entire workflows, and strategies for capturing organizational knowledge.

05:41 Large Language Models (LLM’s)

11:32 Embedded AI Assistant Tools

17:08 Virtual Research Assistant Tools

23:50 AI Driven Development Tools

25:37 AI Agents

34:51 Midwesternism of the Day

In this episode of JDE Connection, Chandra hosts solo as Paul is out sick, providing listeners with updates on a wide range of upcoming Quest events designed for the JD Edwards community. Chandra highlights the value of joining Special Interest Group (SIG) calls to connect with peers, share issues, and learn outside of conferences. She gives a detailed rundown of the JD Edwards Game Changers event, breaking down each day's focus, from low-code/no-code development to system administration, security, modernization, and automation. Other events, like webinars about order-to-cash transformation and Quest membership, are also spotlighted.

02:27 SIG Calls the week of 2/16/2026

03:33 Game Changers 2/23/2026 - 2/26/2026

08:21 Other Quest Events the week of 2/23/2026

09:47 Midwesternism

In this episode, hosts Chandra and Paul take their ongoing conversation with guest Nathan Diamond to discuss innovative uses of AI in the business analyst space, specifically within JD Edwards environments. Nathan Diamond shares how his IIBA certification and knowledge from the BABOK (Business Analysis Body of Knowledge) have empowered him to develop AI agents—using tools like Copilot and ChatGPT—to extract and organize requirements from meeting transcripts, improving consistency, efficiency, and collaboration across teams. They dig into the practical challenges of adopting such tools, the ongoing need for human judgment in business analysis, and the importance of keeping a personal touch in an AI-augmented world.

04:58 From BABOK Knowledge to AI in Action

12:58 Automation's Exciting and Scary Potential

15:54 Adopting Tools: People Challenges

20:46 AI Tools Enhancing Workflow Insights

22:20 Paul asks Chandra where she is at with AI

24:44 AI: Tool, Not Shortcut

27:28 Script Generation

29:50 Midwesternism of the Day

In this episode, hosts Chandra and Paul continue their discussion with Nathan Diamon from Ajinomoto Foods North America. This week’s discussion is focused on the value of IIBA (International Institute of Business Analysis) certifications and the BABOK (Business Analysis Body of Knowledge). The conversation highlights the benefits of developing business analyst skills, the importance of practical experience before pursuing certifications, and how structured frameworks like BABOK add value in both tactical and strategic roles. They also discuss the balancing act of IT planning and governance, the changing roles within organizations as technology evolves, and the challenges of integrating new tools with core systems like JD Edwards.

06:05 Certification Timing Matters

07:15 BABOK as a Toolkit, Not a Script

13:37 Certifications as Career Multipliers

17:14 The Reality of Capacity (and Why It Gets Ignored)

20:41 Guardrails in a World of Shiny Tools

25:48 Two Sides of the Same Coin

28:58 Midwesternism of the Day

Resources:

International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA): https://www.iiba.org/

IIBA Certifications: https://www.iiba.org/business-analysis-certifications/iiba-certifications/?_gl=1*ageg2m*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAiAs4HMBhBJEiwACrfNZTqgFHRJcMr2XrGVnP_UOW9WGhIZikALWEFXKYhVa0NhMJ_uBO30nBoCKtMQAvD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAAC7a0OTr8RyCJ9ZBlwcZYTrhcerJo